Page 46 of Chubs

“She’ll be fine with me learning to ride. That’s not what’s going to cause a problem, though,” Bella responds, then turns to look at Pooh. “Club rules state that each member must buy their own bike when they join. Even Gunner and Axel had to work to earn the money for their first bike. Am I right?”

“Yeah, that’s correct. But you wanting to learn to ride has nothing to do with that. You don’t have to buy your own bike to ride on club property. I have a bike that—” Pooh explains before I cut him off.

“You want to join the club as a member, right?”

“Yes, I do. I get my driver’s license next year, so I’d like to start learning to ride now. I’ve saved my money, and I have most of what I need for the bike I want to buy.”

“You 100% have my support, and I’ll throw the world’s biggest hissy fit if anyone tells you that women can’t join,” I tell her while shooting a silent Pooh a look.

“Pooh?” Bella asks tentatively.

“Why, Bella?” Pooh questions. “Why join the club and go through the bullshit of prospecting and all that when you’re here anyway?”

“When I was the most terrified I’ve ever been, when the traffickers had me and Carmen, I didn’t know if we’d survive. I had pretty much figured out why they had us and had kind of accepted that I was going to be repeatedly raped, and the fear of that was literally suffocating. I was too young to understand that death would have been more merciful than what they had planned. I was so scared. I couldn't even speak. Then you and the club showed up, saved us, and I could breathe again. It took time, but I started to trust that people could be kind and not hurtful, basically for the first time in my life. You gave me that, and it’s a gift I can never repay. Axel, Gunner, Pops—they did too. So did the women. I want to be that person for someone in need too, and being a club member can make that happen. While you guys were awesome at the time, it would have been less scary if a woman had been with you. As a member, I would be there when they’re rescued. I plan on graduating, going to college, and becoming a counselor for victims of sex trafficking, but that’s helping after the fact,” Bella explains in her quiet but not timid voice. “I want you to sponsor me, Pooh, but I’ll understand if you don’t want to. If the club votes against me joining, I’ll still become a counselor and then find a club who will accept me.”

I hold my breath while she and Pooh stare at one another in silence. I watch as Bella’s chin tips in that stubborn tilt she does when she’s determined. Glancing at Pooh, I can clearly see pride shining in his eyes as he looks at the young lady he helped save. When Pooh suddenly stands, I have a moment of panic that he’s going to walk away from Bella without answering. My shoulders sag in relief when he doesn’t.

Leaning down, Pooh grips Bella’s hands and pulls her to standing. Moving his hands to each side of her face, he tips his head down enough to rest his forehead against hers.

“Biggest honor ever would be sponsoring you, Bells. Of course, I will. Love you, girl.”

“Thank you, Pooh. Love you too,” Bella responds with a wobble in her voice.

Giving Bella a quick hug, Pooh steps back, then grins.

“We can talk with your parents tonight about learning to ride because I want Trudy’s consent and not her wrath. When do you want to talk to them about me sponsoring you?”

“After I learn to ride. Let’s dodge that bullet for now,” Bella says with a laugh. “We’ll keep that a secret for now.”

“I won’t say a word,” I assure them.

“I know you won’t. When we talk to Mom about me joining the club, will you please be there, Lucy? She really likes and listens to you, and you always cut through the crap and get right to the point. I know Ava will support me too, but I don’t want her to have to keep a secret from Gunner, and she would have to if I told her now.”

“Absolutely. So, you do know that Axel’s going to pitch a fit when he finds out you asked Pooh and not him, right?” I ask, smiling because that’s a conversation I want to be here for.

“That’s just the icing on the cake,” Pooh says with a huge grin. He’s already envisioning the pouting that’s going to happen.

“Yeah, I know he’ll be upset, but he can’t keep a secret, so I couldn’t talk with him now without everyone knowing what I’m planning. He’s such a gossip,” Bella states with an eye roll and smile.

“True,” I say before pulling her in for a hug. “So proud of you, Bella.”

Walking into the kitchen, I get busy helping the other women get dinner finished and served. As I’m setting the last few dishes on the bar so everyone can serve themselves buffet style, the main door swings open. In walks Cash’s family members, and as usual, the Aunts are giving everyone hell.

Cash’s dad, Lars, is being pushed in his wheelchair by his caregiver, Terry. The Aunts, Lola and Lottie, follow them, with Cash, Livi, Liam, and Snots bringing up the rear. Snots spots me and immediately runs for cover behind a chair. Liam is holding Livi’s hand but lets go and trots in my direction, arms outstretched. I bend down in time to scoop him up and cuddle him close. Liam is a stout, blond-haired, good-natured little boy who loves his Aunt Lucy and finds me whenever we’re both here. His other favorite person is Bella, and she stops close to ruffle his hair.

“I’m just saying, Terry, that there’s gay, then there’s gaaaaay,” Lottie explains while saying the last gay in an exaggerated high-pitched voice.

“And you have packed ten pounds of gaaaaay in a two-pound sack,” Lola says as she walks past Terry and Lars and takes a seat at a nearby table.

“James is as gay as I am, and you don’t harass him,” Terry argues while stopping Lars’s wheelchair at the table next to Lola.

“No, he’s not. James is gay and normal. You’re just a hot mess,” Lottie states with a wave at Terry’s clothing options for today. “And James isn’t trying to convert poor Snots into being whatever it is you are by dressing him like some freak of the doggie world.”

Looking over Terry’s outfit, I hold back a snort. Elton John’s stage outfits have nothing on Terry’s clothing today. Terry’s always been unique in his clothing, but he’s outdone himself today. Lime green velvet jogging suit with black biker-type boots, but they’re made into platforms. Very tall platform boots with numerous buckles, chains, and even a small bell attached to the laces. Rhinestone-studded sunglasses pushed to lay across his forehead, and a lot of gold and sparkly jewelry.

Terry is himself, and I like that he doesn’t change to fit others’ perceptions. Not that I would ever wear the things he does, but he’s happy in them, so more power to him. I approach and lean my shoulder into him. When he notices me, he drops his head, and I kiss his cheek. He, in turn, kisses my temple, then the top of Liam’s head, before turning to resume battle with the Aunts. Above and beyond all the fighting with the Aunts, Terry takes excellent care of Lars and is a permanent fixture in their family.

“Hey, Cash, Livi. What do you feed this kid?” I ask while adjusting Liam’s chunky body on my hip.

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